Metabolomic study of plasma in people exposed to asbestos-containing dust in the air of the work area

The widespread use of asbestos-containing materials, a large number of asbestos deposits, and a long and latent period of development of asbestos-associated diseases still make it relevant to study the molecular aspects of the development of pathological conditions caused by contact with asbestos. A deeper understanding of the changes that occur in response to exposure can help diagnose, prevent irreversible changes in lung tissue, and assess the risk of developing asbestos-associated diseases.

The study aims to explore the plasma metabolome of people exposed to asbestos-containing dust.

The authors have examined 20 employees of the chrysotile asbestos mining and processing enterprise. The main group included male interns who were exposed to asbestos-containing dust in the air of the work area. The comparison group included men who work at the same enterprise and have no contact with asbestos-containing dust.

A semi-quantitative metabolomic analysis of human plasma was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Laboratory findings demonstrated significant changes in the levels of three metabolites (betaine, valerylcarnitine, and PE 38:6) in the exposed workers compared to the controls. Distribution of the subjects by chrysotile exposure levels revealed statistical differences in concentrations of ten metabolites, including choline, valerylcarnitine, LPC 17:0, LPC P-18:1, LPC 19:1, LPC 20:1, LPE O-18:1, PC 40:8, PC 37:4, and SM 33:1;O2.

The plasma metabolite levels in the workers occupationally exposed to asbestos dust may indicate changes in the composition of the lung surfactant and energy metabolism disturbance. Phospholipid metabolism was most affected, reflecting the reaction to lung damage, the direction and degree of change of which probably depend on the intensity of exposure.

Limitations. The sample is limited by the small number of participants and their male gender.

Ethics. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association and approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Yekaterinburg Medical Research Center for Prophylaxis and Health Protection in Industrial Workers (Protocol No. 7 dated 03.10.2022).

Contributions:
Unesikhina M.S. — research concept and design, material collection and data processing, statistical processing, text writing;
Sutunkova M.P. — research concept and design, editing;
Kikot A.M. — editing;
Drugova O.G. — editing.
All authors — approving the final version of the article and ensuring the integrity of all parts of the article.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 27.08.2025 / Accepted: 29.10.2025 / Published: 21.11.2025

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